Question

Assessment of a woman's nutritional status includes a diet history, medication regimen, physical examination, and relevant laboratory tests. A maternity nurse performing such an assessment should be aware that:

a.Oral contraceptive use may interfere with the absorption of iron
b.Illnesses that have created nutritional deficits, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), may require nutritional care before conception
c.The woman's socioeconomic status and educational level are not relevant to her examination; they are the province of the social worker
d.The only nutrition-related laboratory test most pregnant women need is testing for diabetes

Answer 1

Assessing a woman's nutritional status during pregnancy involves a diet history, medication regimen, physical examination, and relevant laboratory tests. A maternity nurse should be aware of the impact of oral contraceptives on iron absorption, the need for nutritional care before conception in cases of illnesses like PKU, and the importance of various nutritional assessments beyond diabetes testing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessing a woman's nutritional status during pregnancy involves several components, including a diet history, medication regimen, physical examination, and relevant laboratory tests. It is important for a maternity nurse to be aware of certain factors:

1. Oral contraceptive use may interfere with the absorption of iron: When assessing a woman's iron levels, it is important to consider whether she has been using oral contraceptives, as they can affect iron absorption.
2. Illnesses that have created nutritional deficits, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), may require nutritional care before conception: If a woman has a health condition like PKU that affects her nutritional status, it is important to provide nutritional care before she conceives to ensure the best outcome for her and her baby.
3. The woman's socioeconomic status and educational level are not relevant to her examination: While a woman's socioeconomic status and educational level may be important factors to consider in other aspects of her care, they are not directly relevant to assessing her nutritional status during pregnancy.
4. The only nutrition-related laboratory test most pregnant women need is testing for diabetes: While testing for diabetes is an important nutrition-related test during pregnancy, it is not the only one. Other laboratory tests, such as measuring iron levels or assessing for nutrient deficiencies, may also be necessary.